Cikctrit-contbolinxtg mechanism



' 12 192 April 7 J. T. MILLER ET AL CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM FiledDec. 14, 1925 Inventors '19]: T 1311161 and Iifchael Hanley Maw M 'M jgPatented Apr. '12, 1927.

Ul llTED S'lA'lEd JOHN T. IVLILLER AND MICHAEL HANLEY, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS.

CIRCUIT-CONTRULLING MECHANISM.

Application filed December Our invention relates, in general, toelectrical signalling systems and more particularly to electriccontrolling mechanisms therefor. Specifically, the present inventioncontemplates the provision of an improved circuit controllerparticularly adapted for use in conjunction with lire alarm signallingsystems and police signalling systems.

In such systems, call or signal boxes are usually employed for initiallysetting the signalling mechanism into operation. These call boxes aremanually controlled and are in general operable by opening the same andgrasping some form of trip member to set the signal sending apparatustherein into operation.

We propose. to provide automatic mechanism for controlling such callboxes as well for enabling them to be operated. by a suitable switch orpush button located at any distance therefrom.

'lhe object of the present invention is to provide improved electrical.mechanism for operating a call box by a switch or push button at adistance therefrom.

In accordance with the general features of the present invention thereis provided circuit controlling mechanism of the character disclosed inour co-pending application, Serial No. 58,958, filed September 1925, forautomatically rendering the push button circuit inoperative for apredetermined period of time once the button is depressed, for settingthe box signal sender into operation and for operating an auxiliarysignal for a predetermined period of time. The circuit controllingmechanism is set in operation when the push button is initiallydepressed through the closing of the circuit by suitable solenoidmechanism.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will more fully appearfrom the following detailed description taken in C011- nection with theaccompanying drawing which illustrates one embodiment thereof and inwhich the single figure is an elevation of a call box illustrating ournovel electrical mechanism for automatically operating the same.

lteferring now to the drawing in detail, ll) denotes a box or casingwhich may be made of any suitable metallic material. and which may be ofany usual construction. Since, in practice, such a box with themechanism contained therein is referred to a call box, we shall refer toit as such in the descriptive matter to follow. This call box may be ofany well known type such, for example, as that employed in lire alarmsignalling systems or in police signalling systems.

While any form of signal. sending apparatus and circuit may, of course,be employed and the same constitutes per se no part of our invention, Wehave illustrated 1n a diagral'umatic and convenient manner, for the sakeof clearness, a possible form of such apparatus and have indicated thesame generally by the reference numeral 15. This signal sendingapparatrrs 15 is nothing more or less than a clockwork including 5. mainspring 12 mounted on a shaft 13 and attached at one end 18 thereto. Theother end 12 of the spring 12 is attached to the framework 9. Associatedwith the shaft 13 is the usual gearing 11 as well as an escapenientmechanism 15. The framework also carries a shaft tel operatively drivenby the train of gears. ldounted on the shaft lat is a circuit breakingor code wheel id of a construction well known to those versed in thesignal art.

The gearing); 1.1 includes a train of gears 1, 2 and 3. The gear 1 ismounted loosely on shaft 1 The shaft has secured to it adjacent the gear1 a ratchet wheel l which engages pawl 5. The pawl is mounted at (S onthe gear 1 and is urged into engagement with the wheel +l by a spring 7.The ratchet and pawl construction cooperate to enali-le the shaft 13 tobe turned in a counter clockwise direction to wind up the spring 113without turning gear 1. However, when the shaft 1 is turned in aclockwise direction by spring 12 the gear 1 will turn there with tooperate the signal sending appzn ratus 15. The gear 2 is splined to ashaft 8 suitably eurnaled in frame work 9. also mounted on shaft- 8 is apinion 2 which meshes with and is driven by gear 1. The gear 2 mesheswith and drives a pinion 3 splined to shaft 14 upon which gear 3 ismounted Thus it will be apparent that the shaft 13 is adapted to drivethe code wheel id through the gears 1 and The escapcment mechanism 15comprises a detent *l and a toothed wheel 5 both of which members may beof any conventional construction The detent i is c: 'ried by an arm (3connecting to .lrameworl: 9. The wheel 5 is mounted upon a shaft 7 whichis journulcd in frame 5). Fiplined to shaft 7' is a pinion 8' whichmeshes with and is driven by gear 3. The escapement is adapted tocontrol through the gears 1, 2 and 8 the return movement of shaft 13under the effect of spring 12.

The teeth 16 on the circuit breaking Wheel 14: are adapted to break theconnection between leads 17 and 18 of a circuit 20 which is normallyclosed. Suitable contact spring lingers 1'7 and18 may be associated withthe leads 17 and 18 many of the well known manners. The spring s17 and18 are nor- .inally in contact but are adapted to be sepaated by a.pivotally mounted arm 90 hroruzl'i the IHBEUASOf the code -wheel 14. Thecircuit 20 constitutes the signal sending circuit and may include theusual instruments such as a sending key 21 and a re eiver 22 including asolenoid 23 and a gong The circuit 20 is normally closed as waspreviously mentioned and signals are transmitted thereover byintermittently breaking the circuit. The teeth 16 on the wheel 14: arearranged in such a manner as .20 be capable of breaking the circuit 20 apredetermined number of times to indicate the number of the call box 10.The instruments 21 and 22 may be of any Well known construction and donot constitute per se any part-of the present invention. They areillustrated, however, toshow how they may be associated with our novelcircuit controlling mechanism.

Attached to an end of the shaft 13 is a ull lever or arm to one endofwhich pivotally connected a link member 31 pivoted at itslower end to aplunger member 32. The lower end of the plunger member 32 is disposedwithin the center of a solenoid 33 and in reality constitutes a coretherefor. Surrounding the solenoid 83 is a metallic frame 34 whichserves as a support for the solenoid and as a means for securing it tothe box 1,0. Also disposed in the bore of the coil or solenoid is a stopmember 35 for limiting the downward movement of the plunger 32. Upontheenergiza ticn of the coil or solenoid 33, as will be more fullyexplained hereinafter, the plunger 32 is drawn downwardly into the coilof wire or solenoid pulling with itthe lever arm 30 and winding up thespring 12 upon the shaft 13.

Mounted on and attached to the ipper edge of the lever 30 is a trippingspring element 37 having one end projecting from the lever 30 forming atripping spring 38. The other end of the tripping spring element 87 isformed into a lateral extension which constitutes a tripping spring 39.Attached to the lower edge of the lever 30 is a tripping spring elementhaving one end projecting therefrom in the same general direction as thespring 38 and constituting a spring t1 adapted to cooperate with thespring 38.

termediate the trunnions 5G and 57 The other end of the tripping springele ment i0 formed into a projcction constituting a tripping spring 12adapted to cooperate with the tri iping spring 3!). The sprzngs and 1-1are adapted to control a switch indicated generally by the referencenumeral and the springs 39 and -12 are adapted to control the operationof a. switch indicated generally by the reference numeral 46. Boththeswitchesetf) allt'leiii are ot the snap type andareadaptedto besetinto eitheran open or closed position by the 1 rl p ping springsassociated therewith.

The switches 45 ands-Gare substantially the same in constructionandwiredioth coir trolled through my novel-circuit controllingmechanism. Since both the switches 45 and 16 are substantiallyalike, itis thought that a description ofone will suliice for both.lhereforcylike i'efereucc numerals will he applied to similarparts inboth-oftheru switches. It should be noted =that the switches are indifferent positionsas -well-as in diifercntplanes so as to enable themto be accol'nmodated by the limited amount of space aiforded in the'callbox 10.

Each of the switches includes a slate basieOwhirh isfastcned to the boxor casing 11). Attached to the face of the base area pair of spacedtrunnions -51 and 552 each of which carries a set screw 58 and mountedonthe other end of the base '50 are a pair of eler' tric terminals 54and Fastened to the face of the base 50 intermediate the triur nions 51and 59 and the terminals 5L and 55 are another pair of trunnions 56 and51'' equipped with set screws 58. Disposed inis a cam member59wpivotally carried by the set screws 58. Thecammember 59-ronn irises acircular disk having two arcuate cutout portions 60 and (31 thepurposeof which portions will be described hereinafter. That is to say, the cammember 59 has a pair of pointed members 60 and (31 to lit into he endsof the set screws 58 permitting the am to be moved angularly. The cam ortrigger member-59 has integral therewith a pr jection 63 adapted tohavca lost motion connection with the-arm at 30 of our (ieric through themeans of the springs 38 and 1-5.1. A switch member (34c extends underthe cam or trigger member 59 intermediate the trunnions 56 and 5T. Thismember has formed on one end a pair of pointed studs. (35 and 66 whichare pivotally disposed in the set screws 53, thus forminga pivoialmounting for one end of the member 64;. This member 64 may be made ofbrass or any other suitable material. The other end oi the member 64Lcarries a contact piece (18 :ulapted to bridge the terminals 54: and 55.The member 64. has formed tllOl'tUli: intcrinediat its ends an arcuateshaped proje too (if) adapted to he engaged by the prripima of the camor trigger member 59. WVhen the projection 69 is engaged by the cut-outportion as shown in the drawing the switch member 64 will be in its openposition. On the other hand when the projection 69 is contacted by theportion 61' of cam member 59 the switch member 64 will be in its closedposition. The member 64 is at all times urged upwardly about its pivotby a band spring 70 disposed intermediate it and the base 50.

Normally, the spring 70 will force the member 64 upwardly causing thecontact piece 68 to be disconnected from the terminals 54 and 55. Uponmovement of the previously mentioned lever arm 30, as will be moreapparent as the present description progresses, the lost motionconnection between it and the projection 63 operates the cam or trigger59 depressing the member 64 and compressing the spring 70. This resultsin the terminals 54 and 55 being bridged and the associated circuitbeing closed.

Connected to the terminals 54 and 55, of the switch 46, are a pair o1auxiliary signal circuit leads 71 and 72 of an auxiliary signal circuit73. When the terminals 54 and are bridged by the contact means 68 of themember 64, the signal will be operative.

The operation of the switch 46 is controlled by the springs 39 and 42.It should be noted that the spring 41 may be adjusted or rather movedfurther away or nearer to the lever arm 30 by means of a stud 74attached to an end of the lever arm and a small nut 75 threaded thereon.That is to say, by turning the nut 75, the spring 42 may be moved to anydesired position.

The springs 38 and 41 are adapted to alternately engage the projection63 on the cam 59 of the switch 45 to either open or close the saidswitch. 0 have illustrated the spring 39 as being equipped with anauxiliary spring 76 integral therewith. The spring 76 is adapted toengage the projection 63. In order to adjust the position of the spring7 6 with respect to the spring 38, we have provided a stud or screw 76which ties the two springs 89 and 42 together. The position of thespring 76 through which the stud 7 6 passes may be varied by turning anut 7 8 screwed onto the stud 76 intermediate its end.

Connected to the terminals 54 and oil": the switch 46 are a pair orleads 80 and 81 contact 89, closing the circuit associated therewith.The circuit 90 includes the solenoid 33. The power line leads 9i and 92oi the circuit 90 may be connected to any suitable source of electricalpower such, for example, as a 110 volt line. It is evident that when thecont-acts 88 and 89 are closed the circuit 90 will also be closed andthe solenoid 33 therein will be energized.

The operation of our novel mechanism is as follows:

Upon depressing the button 84 which may be located in any position at adistance from the call box 10, the circuit 82 is closed. 'lhat is tosay, for example, supposing some one in a bank or some oth r analogr'iusplace dcsires to operate a call box positioned on a street corner, hemerely presses a push but ton such as the one designated by thereference numeral 84. Now, inasmuch as the contacts 54 and 55 of theswitch 45 are normally bridged by the contact teeth 66, current from thebattery will flow through the solenoid S5 energizing the same andpulling the armature 86 downwardly. The armature in turn moves thecontact 83 into engagement with the contact 69 closing the circuit 96and energizing the coil The coil 33 through the plunger 32 and the link31 draws tne lever arm 30 downwardly, storing up energy in the clockspring 12. it will be evident from the drawing that the escapementmechanism 15 will retard the return of the lever arm 36 to its initialposition as previously mentioned. Also, in moving the pull lever 30downwardly, the shaft 13 is caused to be turned. setting the clockworkassociated therewith, as well as the signal sending apparatus, in aposition ready to function. The lever 30 through the tripping spring 42operates the cam 59 ot the switch 46 to cause the member 64 to be urgedoutwardly away from the slate. panel or base 50 due to the urging effectof the spring '30. This results in the contact piece 68 being moved outof engagement with the contacts 54 and opening the circuit 82 therebyrenderingthe button 84 ineffective to energize the coil 8:7.

Furthermore, the lever arm 30 through the trip spring 38 operates thecam 59 by coming into engagement with the projection 63 thereof. The cam59 of the switch 45 through the cut-out portion 61 causes the member 64to be moved inwardly towards the panel or base 50 bringing the bridgepiece 68 into contact with the terminals 54 and oi. the switch 46. Thisaction causes the ci cuitiil to be closed and sets into operation anauxiliary signal (not shown).

Now, upon the circuit 82 being broken, the armature 86 associated withthe coil immediately moves back to its former uppermost position due tothe urging eliect of a spring 100. The contact 88 thereupon moves IOU"condition for operation once more.

out of engagement with the contact sprin .vided a single plungerarrangement for con- 89 breaking the circuit 90 and thus de-energluingthe coil.

The lever. arm 30 is nowfree to. moveito its former position under theeffect of the spring 12 in which energy: has been stored. That is tosay, a downward movement of the lever wound up the spring 12 and set theclockwork mechanism. associated therewith in a condition for operation.The up ward movement of the lever arm. however, is controlled by heescapement mechanism of the clockwork. The return movement of the leverarm 30 also sets into operation the circuit breaking wheel llwhichinterrupts the normally closed usual lire or police alarm circuit 20transmitting thereover the number of the call box. In the drawing, thewheel 14 is illustrated as being equipped with three spaced notches 16.Thus it will be seen that the number of this call box might be 12. Ofcourse, it is to be understood that although we have illustrated thecircuit 20 as being normally closed it would work equally well ifinstead of breaking the cucuit, the wheel 1% could be arranged to closethe circuit each time a notch thereof came said circuit.

As soon as the :lever arm 30 has moved a suiiicient distanceto bring thecontact or trigger spring il into engagement with the projection (33 ofthe switch 45, the cannot) thereof is operated resulting in the memberti-iibeing moved. away from the base breaking the circuit 73 andrendering the signal asiociated therewith inoperative.

Also, upon the trigger spring 75 contacting the projection 63 of theswitch 46, the cam 59 thereof reacts to force themember contact orbridge piece 68 into engagement with the terminals 54 and 55 to connectthe sameand thusrender the circuit 82 in a The upward movement of thelever arm 30 may be limited by any suitablemeans such, for example, asby a stop 101 attached to the framework 9 of the clock mechanism.

It is evident from the foregoing description that by depressing the pushbutton 84; not only is the signal sending apparatus set into operationand the auxiliary signal op- I erated, but the button circuit is brokenmakingit impossible to energize the coils by further depressing the pushbutton during the time that the clock mechanism is set to. operate or inother words until the lever 30 has becn restored to its normal position.This a highly desirable feature, inasmuch as it frustrates thepossibility of a person making it impossible for the lever arm 30 vto bereturned by continually depressing the temporaneously operating a pairof switches and-for operating suitable alarm slgnalhng apparatus. Also,it will be seen that we have provided a very compact arrangement-.

consisting of: a minimum number of parts and having a very high degreeof elliciency. Then too, our invention may be applied to .the usualpolice. and lire alarm call boxes -with a minimum numbeifiol" deviationsfront standard practice.

Moreover, through the adjusting mechm 'nism previously described, it ispossible to vary the time oteliiectivcness of both the i trippingsprings etinud 7 Obviously, be Ettore these springs are brought intocontact withthe associated projections 6 of the snap switches and 46, apredetermined period O'litlllle is caused to elapse. This period oftimemay be varied either by adjusting the cscapement mechanism of theclockwork or by turning the nuts associated with the studs 74- and 76.

The tripping springf-s, in reality, constitute lost motion connectionsbetween the arm 30 and the projections (53 of the snap switches at?) andA very slight pressure on the projection is necessary to operate the camin either direction. The tripping springs exert just enough prcseurcupon the projection 63 to cause it to snap the switch in eitherdirection.

The auxiliary circuit 73 may control the operation of any suitablesignal whether it llGuOf the visual or audible type for signalling thatthe push button 8 has been dc pressed. If. for example. the push button84 be located in a bank, the auxiliary signal may be located in thequarters of the watchman or bank policeman.

Furthermore, by opening the call box 10 and pulling down on the leverill). the mechanism associated therewith may be operated independentlyof the push. button R-t. lilo--- sages may be either transmitted orreceived by the policeman or fireman operating the call box by means ofthe two instruments 22 and 21. These instruments are well known to thoseskilled in the alarm box art.

o claim 1. In combiimtion, an electrical switch. a first means includinga pull-lever for operating said switch, an adjustable lost motionconnection between said lever and said switch, a second means for movingthe said pull-lever in agiven direction to actuate the switch signalsending mechanism. a third means tor slowly returning the pulldever toits initial position and for o 'ieratingthe said signal sendingmechanism. said lath-r means causing said lirst means to a :tuate saidswitch so as to return the switch to its initial osition, and a fourthmeans controlled by the said switch for preventing said second meansfrom being operateduntil the pull ill lll]

lltl

lilfi lll lever is returned to its initial position after an operationthereof.

In combination, an electrical snap switch means including a pull leverfor open atinn' the said. switcln a lost motion connection between saidswitch and said pull lever, means inclmling; a solenoid for moving thesaid poll lever in a given direction to acti'late the switi'h, sigi nalsending; mechanism, means for slowly returning; the pull lever to itsinitial poi-iil'ion and for operating the said signal sending; mechanismin'z-ludingr a spring and an cscapement n'ieehanisln, said latter meanscausing said lever to actuate said switch. so as to return the switch toits initial position and means controlled by the said switch torpreventing said solenoid from being operated until the pull lever isreturned to its initial position after an operation thereof.

8. In combination, an electrical switch including a plurality ofterminals, a switch element for connecting said terminals and an onion'on associated with said element adaptmmrzir ed to be actuated to openand close said switch, a pull lever, means for pulling the lever fromone position to another, an ele ment carried by said lever for movingsaid extension in one direction during the moving oi said pull lever tocause said switch to be operated, signal sending mechanism, meansincluding a spring); and escapcmcnt mechanism l'or slowly returning thesaid pull lever to its initial position and tor operating said signalsending: mechanism, a second element asociated with said lever adaptedupon the return movement of said lever to actuate said extension of theswitch after a predetermined period of time has elapsed to cause saidswitch to be operated and means controlled by said switch forcontrolling the operation of said pulling; means.

In Witness whereof, We hereunto subscribe our names this 10th day ofDecember, 1925.

JOHN T. MILLER. MICHAEL HANLE Y.

